Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal
"Sometimes we'd double a track using an old Pro Co Rat, and then hard-pan the parts so that a super-distorted guitar was in the left chan... more
between the swollen pickle and the blues driver to see the pro co rat, all though this picture is small, you might find a larger version ... more
["Krist's distortion pedal of choice."](http://www.livenirvana.com/equipment/krist.php) as mentioned by Earnest Bailey, NIRVANA's guitar ... more
“Sometimes you put on distortion on top of something already distorted and it’s like a math problem, everything cancels each other out, y... more
Reviews
Trusted musician and artist reviews for Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal
Based on 32 Reviews
It gives you all you need
this pedal gives you the fuzz of Dave Gilmour, the hard grunge of Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl, as well as the 80's distortion of Nuno Bettencourt. Easy to dial in tones, and there are so many. Mine has been stomped hard and still no problems 20 years later.
Also, to the best of my knowledge, the first op-amp/diode-to-ground distortion to incorporate a charge pump to double the traditional 9 volt rails of stomp boxes. THis idea has been borrowed in a number of high profile 'boutique' overdrives like the Klon Centaur and Sweet Honey Overdrive. A high(er) voltage Distortion+ with a big muff tone control that sounds nothing like the 70s designs it draws inspiration from that's built like a tank. What's not to like?
It should be called ProCo BEAST Distortion
It sounds so good. It's true you can get a great fuzz and distortion sound. I've also noticed that it's very compatible with chorus and reverb.
The Rat, whiteface, from Proco. Arguably the best distortion ever created.
I may be biased, but I have never needed to buy, or do research for that matter, for any distortion or overdrive, fuzz, etc. You can literally get any sound you need from a Rat. What I love about this pedal is using it along with the volume knob, at really low volumes it has a whole different character. As you turn it up, the character changes and becomes something more, but just as intriguing. I have had mine since 1987, I bought it from a friend for $40. I have never played any other distortion in my signal path and I played top 40, metal, rock, blues, funk, 80's, 90's etc, using this pedal for all kinds of effects. The filter knob, this is the key, when you play a room and the reverb is drowning you out, just turn this know until the frequency cuts through the hoopla, I cannot convey how great it is to have that ability and fix it in 5 seconds with no soundman debates, or having to turn your rig up and then you look like an a**hole. If you don't have a Proco Rat, a Whiteface, vintage or reissue, my preference, then stop reading and go get one if you want to have any integrity as a guitarist. If you kick this pedal on, and there are any guitarists in the audience, oh they will come to see what is making you sound like a beast! believe me, it will happen as it has to me countless times. Good luck in acquiring one!
"I may be biased" woulda been funnier if you were reviewing something with discrete transistors or a tube amp. Classic for a reason... I'm not sure that using an original spec rat gives a guitarist integrity, but they sure sound good, especially in a band context and they get on with a lot of different amps. Great for synths too.
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if you can find one the discontinued TC Nova Drive is a rat with 2 tone shapers coupled to a TS9 circuit and a clean blend. It has preset storage, receives midi program change data as well as continuous controller data for expression pedals to replace certain knob functions (not that I use that feature). You can use the 2 drive cicuits separately, in series or in parallel (which is really more useful than I expected). I will never go back to a regular Rat and I have owned many of them, even the really early version everyone goes bonkers for now.
Very nice sounds, and simple with quality
If you want great sound of Big Stars like Jeff Beck don't search anymore, you've got it , this is the version 2 but not the least !!!
I don't recal jeffbeck ever rcking a rat, great pedal, but its not exactly the distortion of the stars.. still love it though
Does one job well
The Rat is one of those items that has been around for a long time. Many use it as a drive pedal but I prefer to use it slightly differently. For me it lives in front of the amp, with little to no drive. This just adds some hair and pushes the preamp tubes a little. I find it too fizzy as a drive pedal but as a dirty boost it's great.
Really good memories. :)
I loved it when I've played it 12 years ago with my high school metal band but then it got broken in 2003 and I switched to Metal Zone. A tech fixed it for me this year, so after 13 years of gathering dust in my old room it's been resurrected and ready to rock.
I love the rat
this is like the queen bee of buzzy distortion toys... it does a little of everything and it does it well. Sounds great through an AC30 too, which is a tough amp for most dirt boxes. Everyone should own a rat or something absed on the rat. I have this in a box of junk. It went in there when I had a long period where I didn't use many effects in line and now tis been replaced by the TC Nova Drive that ahs a rat in it. But I'll probably never get rid of the proco, I've had it forever. Everyone should buy one.